A NURSE who cares for premature and newly-born babies joined more than 1,000 other unsung heroes at a reception hosted by London Mayor Ken Livingstone.

Jo Goddard-Edden of Homesdale Road, Bromley, was nominated to attend the glitzy event at the Tate Modern by grateful parents of twins who she cared for at Lewisham Hospital's Neo-Natal Unit.

The Greater London Assembly (GLA) asked for nominations for people who had made a significant contribution to London for the reception, which marked the anniversary of the Mayor taking office.

But the 27-year-old was one of the nine selected to have a professional photograph taken by royal photographer Terry O'Neill, which was signed and presented to her by the London Mayor.

Speaking afterwards, she said: "I am very chuffed. It's really nice to be rewarded this way because it brings it home that what we do is so worthwhile."

Her mum, Pat Goddard, 62, who accompanied her daughter with Jo's father and husband said: "Her training was a real struggle so you can imagine how proud we all were of her last Wednesday night."

Mrs Goddard-Edden trained at Greenwich University and King's College before spending a year at Sidcup's Queen Mary's Hopsital.

She then moved to the neo-natal unit in Lewisham, where she has worked for the past five years.

July 9, 2002 13:00